Philadelphia Union draw with New England Revolution in first preseason scrimmage

Philadelphia Union opened up the 2014 preseason campaign with a 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution at the Dewey O. Boster Sports Complex today in Deltona, Fla. The match, which was divided into three 30-minute periods, was the Union’s first competitive action ahead of the 2014 season.

The Union trotted out a lineup with many familiar faces in the opening period, featuring mainstays among the likes of Sheanon Williams, Ray Gaddis, Brian Carroll, Conor Casey and Sebastien Le Toux, among others. Also among the starting eleven were USMNT midfielder Maurice Edu, Argentine Cristian Maidana and defender 2014 MLS SuperDraft selection Richie Marquez, who all made their competitive debut for the Union.

The squad dictated much of the tempo in the opening 30 minutes, creating several chances on goal. Most notably, a Carroll interception at midfield led to a Union counter attack that saw the New England goalkeeper race out to stop a shot on Le Toux, who had space inside the 18 yard box.

Jack McInerney, the team’s leading goal scorer in 2013, opened the account for the Union midway through the second 30-minute interval. McInerney made a run behind the Revolution defense, and midfielder Michael Lahoud played a pass through to put the striker in on goal. With one touch, McInerney blasted the ball near post to give the Union the lead. New England equalized just minutes before the end of the second period on a goal from Evan Melo, who collected a cross from Donnie Smith before firing into the net.

The third 30-minute period saw the Union create several chances to seal the win in the waning minutes. The best opportunity came when forward Aaron Wheeler got his head on the end of a cross to send the ball on frame, but New England goalkeeper Brad Knighton was positioned well to knock it out of play. The score remained 1-1 as the Union wrapped up its first action of the preseason in Deltona.